You're invited · A social anxiety intensive

Finding Humans
Less Scary

A two-day weekend intensive for social anxiety. Real streets, real people, real tools.

How do I register?
  1. Decide this is for you. Willing to show up and be your authentic, brave self? That's the only prerequisite. Ages 14+.
  2. Donate $20+ to Doctors Without Borders, GiveWell Top Charities, Reduce Gun Violence in America, or Save the Children — then email a screenshot to findinghumanslessscary@gmail.com.
  3. Fill out the RSVP form. We'll email you location details. Spaces may be limited.
What is this weekend?

Social anxiety is a fear of social interactions — embarrassment, self-consciousness, and reluctance to connect out of fear of judgment.

This is not a seminar. We go out, confront our fears, and learn tools to connect with new people authentically — right on the streets of Palo Alto. We'll examine the paralyzing thoughts that fuel these fears and evaluate if they're truthful or misleading.

Challenging but exciting? Register and test your limits. Feeling overwhelmed and disabled by the idea right now? That's okay — we'd love to have you next time.

Based on the techniques of Dr. David Burns, M.D., Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at Stanford.

Who's hosting?

Jacob Towery, M.D. — Adjunct Clinical Faculty at Stanford School of Medicine, Level 5 Master TEAM-CBT Therapist and Trainer, author of The Anti-Depressant Book, and 2022 Shame Attacking World Championship winner. jacobtowerymd.com

Michael Luo, M.D. — PGY-4, Psychiatry. Has survived every awkward conversation to date.

Small group leaders: Chris Claytor, PhD, LPCC · Anastasia Morrison, MA, LMFT · Katie Cairns, LPCC · Arturo Figueroa, LCSW · Jeannette Bostedt, LMSW · Rachel Glazer, LCSW · Orly Marmur, PsyD · Lee Flowers, MD (tentative).

Questions? Read the FAQ or email findinghumanslessscary@gmail.com

RSVP — March 13–14
A two-day social anxiety intensive · Palo Alto

Finding Humans
Less Scary

Two days. Real streets. Real people. A weekend intensive where you don't take notes about your fears — you walk up and talk to them.

DatesMarch 13–14, 2027
Hours9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
WherePalo Alto, CA
FormatIn person · No Zoom
RSVP Now How it works
OPEN PALM: NON-THREATENING WARM SMILE: GENUINE RELAXED. NOT JUDGING YOU. FIG. 1 — WAVING AT YOU. RARELY BITES.
Specimen: the everyday human. Mostly harmless.
The thoughts we'll put on trial →
"They probably think I'm weird." "I'll say something stupid." "They can tell I'm nervous." "I'm bothering them." "Everyone will stare at me." "What if I freeze?" "They'll laugh at me." "I have nothing interesting to say." "They probably think I'm weird." "I'll say something stupid." "They can tell I'm nervous." "I'm bothering them." "Everyone will stare at me." "What if I freeze?" "They'll laugh at me." "I have nothing interesting to say."
Registration — three steps

Getting in is the first exercise

Decide

Decide this is for you

Minimum age to participate is 14.

Being willing to show up and be your authentic and brave self is a prerequisite.

Donate

Donate $20+ to charity

Pick one of the charities below and donate $20 or more.

Screenshot it and email findinghumanslessscary@gmail.com.

Register

Fill out the form

We'll send location details and correspond with you via email.

Spaces may be limited.

Suggested charities
Doctors Without BordersInternational, independent medical humanitarian aid. GiveWell Top CharitiesThe most impactful charities, rigorously evaluated. Reduce Gun Violence in AmericaSupport the movement for safer communities. Save the ChildrenHealth, education, and protection for children worldwide.
Field notes

What is social anxiety?

Social anxiety is a fear of social interactions. It often manifests as embarrassment, self-consciousness, and reluctance to connect with others out of fear of judgment.

Sometimes, the feeling of worry is so overwhelming that it leads to avoidance or panic.

During this weekend, we will examine the paralyzing thoughts in our minds that fuel these fears. We will evaluate if they are truthful or misleading.

Less classroom. More real world.

This is a potentially life-altering training where we go out and confront our fears — engaging with new people, learning tools to connect authentically, and before long, chatting up strangers on the streets of Palo Alto.

Challenging but exciting? Register and test your limits. If interacting with others feels overwhelming and disabling right now, that's okay — we'd love to have you next time.

Based on the techniques of Dr. David Burns, M.D. — Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at Stanford and best-selling author.

Your hosts

Two psychiatrists who make conversation for a living

Jacob Towery

Jacob Towery, M.D.

Psychiatrist · jacobtowerymd.com

  • Adjunct Clinical Faculty, Stanford University School of Medicine
  • Adult Psychiatry Residency and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship, Stanford
  • Board certified in adult and child/adolescent psychiatry
  • Level 5 Certified Master TEAM-CBT Therapist and Trainer
  • Author of The Anti-Depressant Book
  • Featured in The New York Times and The Washington Post
  • 2025 Top Doctors of America
  • 2022 Shame Attacking World Championship winner
Michael Luo

Michael Luo, M.D.

PGY-4, Psychiatry

  • Survived every awkward conversation to date — a 100% record
  • Certified human (source: birth certificate)
  • Shame Attacking World Championship: currently in training
Small group leaders

You won't be doing this alone. You'll practice in small groups, each guided by an experienced leader.

Chris Claytor

Chris Claytor

PhD, LPCC
Anastasia Morrison

Anastasia Morrison

MA, LMFT
Katie Cairns

Katie Cairns

LPCC
Arturo Figueroa

Arturo Figueroa

LCSW
Jeannette Bostedt

Jeannette Bostedt

LMSW, CSW-Intern
Rachel Glazer

Rachel Glazer

LCSW

Orly Marmur

PsyD
Tentative Lee Flowers

Lee Flowers

MD
March 13–14, 2027 · Palo Alto · Spaces may be limited

Say hi first.

Let us know if you'll be attending. The humans are waiting to meet you.

RSVP Now
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